“Knucklehead” Movie Screening at the TCBFF

On Saturday, October 10, 2015, “Knucklehead”, written by Bryan Adams and Ben Bowmen, premiered at the Twin Cities Black Film Festival on World Mental Health Day. Starring Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire, The Good Wife), Alfre Woodard (12 Years A Slave, State of Affairs), and Amari Cheatom (Django Unchained, Night Catches Us), Knucklehead exposed the fragile mind of Langston “Lang” Bellows (Gbenga) an individual diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder who refuses to believe his condition is lifelong. Obsessed with curing his mental defect, Lang closely follows the “teachings” of Dr. Brickstone, a celebrity doctor in a popular pharmacy magazine who has a slew of medication recommendations. Set in Brooklyn, New York amidst a criminally-involved brother (Cheatom) and an abusive mother (Woodard), Lang is determined to become “mentally excellent” and a “contributing member of Bed-Stuy”.

Minnesota’s own Ben Bowman (Director/Writer) was in attendance and answered audience questions following the screening. He stated, “Everyone has someone like this close to them or nearby.” With only 17 days to shoot, Bowmen paid homage to dedicated actors Gbenga and Woodard who went above and beyond to ensure this film’s completion.

“Knucklehead” won the Top Award for Fiction Features, “Made in MN Award” at MSPIFF, Industry Choice Award at Dances With Films (DWF), and received nominations for Best Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor (Gbenga & Woodard) at the ABFF.